Sawmill carriage setworks mechanisms



United States Patent m1 EhSZMJ/Wi Primary Examiner--Donald R. SchranAttorney Morsell and Morsell ABSTRACT: A sawmill carriage setworksmechanism having means for moving the headblock' knees forwardly andincluding a revoluble stop arm selectively engageable with a laterallyadjustable stepped plate assembly to automatically stop the forwardtravel of said headblock knees at a predetermined position, therebypresenting the log for a cut of desired thickness, and said mechanismincluding means for rapidly moving said knees either forwardly orrearwardly when desired. Said setworks mechanism is entirelyhydraulically actuated and controlled to minimize manufacturing costs,as well as to permit the use of the sawmill in remote areas whereelectric power is unavailable.

Patented Oct. 20, 1970 Sheet INVENTOR THOMAS P- MEIS Mv M ATTORNEYSSheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR THOMAS F. MEIS MQLM ATTORNEYS fiAWlt/llllLlLCARRIAGE @lE'liWtZllilllh-i li/ilEtCllWlllSl /lS BACKGROUND OF THEZNVENTEON 1. Field of the lnvention The present invention relates tolumber sawmills of the type used for sawing logs into boards or planks.More particularly the invention relates to a novel and improved carriagesetworks mechanism for portable sawmills.

2. Description of the Prior Art in many conventional lumber sawmills thecarriage setworks and drive mechanisms are electrically operated andcontrolled. Such electrically operated sawmills require multi plesolenoids, microswitches, limit switches, and other components which arenot only relatively expensive, but which require frequent repair orreplacement due to the rugged use to which a sawmill is necessarilysubjected. Moreover, in many instances it is desirable to use portablesawmills in remote areas where electric power is not available. Examplesof such conventional electrically operated sawmills are disclosed in US.Pat. No. 2,613,703 to Calvert, and No. 3,086,568 to liaitzell.

To remedy the drawbacks of conventional electrically operated sawmillsattempts have been made in the past to design hydraulically operatedsawmill setworlts mechanisms, but said prior units have been relativelycomplex and expensive, as well as being devoid of the fine adjustabilityand precision that is desirable in a sawmill. Typical of such priorhydraulic setworks mechanisms are those disclosed in the following US.Pats: Roberts, No. 2,548,067; Pelton, No. l,786,26l; and Langill, No.1,832,908.

SUMMARY OF THE lllVENTlON The present invention provides a sctworksmechanism for sawmill carriages which is entirely hydraulically poweredand controlled. The result is that with the present invention it isunnecessary to employ relatively expensive and fragile electri calequipment; moreover, the sawmill can be utilized even in remotebackwoods areas where electric power is unavailable.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide anovel hydraulically controlled sawmill setworks mechanism which permitsthe positioning of a log relative to the saw with great precision, toproduce boards of accurate predetermined dimensions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sawmillsetworlrs mechanism that can be operated and controlled remotely by theoperator.

further object is to provide a totally hydraulic sawmill set- WOIliSmechanism which can be rapidly moved either forwardly or rearwardly bythe operator, as he chooses, as well as including a plurality ofindependently adjustable forward movement stop selections that may bechosen at will by the operator.

It further object of the invention is to provide a hydraulicallyoperated setworks mechanism which can be incorporated as standardequipment on new sawmills, or which mechanism can be readily installedon existing sawmills of conventional design.

Still further objects of the present invention are to provide a new andimproved sawmill setworlcs mechanism that is simple and efficient inoperation, which is rugged and durable in construction, which isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which is otherwiseparticularly well adapted for its intended purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA NlNG in the accompanying drawings, whereinthe same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of theviews:

Fl G. l. is a fragmentary side elevational view of a sawmill carriage ofthe type for which the improved setworks mechanism comprising thepresent invention is designed;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the setworks mechanism; and.

FlG. 3 is an end view of the setworlcs mechanism taken along the lineIi-3 of FIG. 2.

l lel""'.ng now more particularly to fli -S. l of the drawings. lllustred therein is a sawmill carriage l il oi the general type for which thenovel setworks mesh dish: comprising the present invention is intended,said carriage being movably mounted on tracks lit. Carried on andextending transversely across said carriage iii? are a plurality ofchannelshaped headbloclcs l3 upon which the iog M to be sawed is rested,said log being positioned against two or more upright knee members l?which are movably carried in said headbloclts. The number of headblocksand knees mounted on the carriage can be varied, depending upon the sizeand style of the sawmill. Suitable power driven means are provided forshitting the carriage along the tracks it to move the log M intoengagement with a high-speed rotary saw (not shown} positioned totraverse the length of said log to cut a board or plank therefrom Aftera board has been cut from the log the carriage ltl is returned to itsinitial position. The knee members are then shifted forwardly apredetermined distance within the headbloclrs to position the log forthe next out To accomplish the adjustment of said movable knee members$7 a rack l8 projecting rearwardly from each of said knees is engaged bya pinion gear carried by a rotatable shaft t5, hereinafter referred toas the main set shaft. The means [or rotating said main set shaft andrack-engaging pinions to adjust the position of the knees i7 is commonlyreferred to as the sctworks mechanism. The purpose of the pre entinvention is to provide an improved sctworlts mocha n which is totallyhydraulically operated, as will now be described.

With respect to the hydraulic circuitry. pumps and valve elements, etc.employed in the preferred form of the present invention, incidentally,it is to be understood that all of said components and circuitry arestandard conventional hydraulic equipment such as is well known in theart. Under the circumstances, in order to simplify and clarity disc.xsure and to facilitate a clear understanding of the novel mechanicalapparatus comprising the present inventio: dr riled descriptions of saidconventional hydraulic co oi'icnts and circuitry will not be includedherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and the drawings, the setworlts mechanismfeatured in the present invention is suitably mounted adjacent and inassociation with the main set shaft i5 hercinabove described, saidsetworlcs mechanism including a supporting frame having a base El,upright end elements 22, 213, and a longitudinal top frame member 24.Associated with said main set shaft l5 are three major components: asleeve 26 which surrounds a portion of said set shaft and is rotatablerelative thereto; an enlarged set gear 1 which is mounted fast on saidset shaft; and an enlarged sprocket Llil which is also mounted fast onsaid set shaft.

Attached to the rotatable, shaft-surrounding sleeve as is a hydraulicpiston-attaching bar 29, the function of which will be hereinafter seen,and also operatively associated with said sleeve as are a so-calledBendix bracket arm 33. and a stop engaging bar 3?. (P16. 2). The setgear 27 is of a diameter and tooth sized to accommodate a small carriedby an upper Bendix assembly 354 pivotally mounted on the bracket armBoth the Bendix assembly 3d and set gear 27 rotate about the main setshaft T5, with the result that said Bendix" assembly is adapted topartially traverse the periphery of said set gear during the operationor" the present invention, as will be described.

The lElendix"assembly is so designed as to provide rotation of the smallgear 33 thereon in only one direction (coun terclocltwise in H0. 3 ofthe drawings). Theretore, when a double-acting hydraulic set cylinder 38is actuated by the operator to extend the reciprocable piston Allthereon in a downward direction the Bendix bracket arm 31, which islinked thereto by the bar 29, is caused to move in an upward direction.Because the small gear 33 on the Bendix' assembly will not rotate insaid direction it causes the set gear 2'7 to rotate with said upwardlytraveling bracket arm thus causing the main set shaft to also rotatetherewith. The

rotation of said main set shaft turns the aforementioned pinion gear 19to drive the rack 18 (FIG. 1) in a forward direction, thereby advancingthe headblock knee 17.

With respect to said pinion l9 and rack 18, incidentally, it is to beunderstood that while a single pinion and rack assembly is shown in FIG.1 of the drawing, in actual practice each headblock 17 on the sawmillcarriage is provided with a similar rack and pinion assembly. All of thepinions 19 are mounted on the set shaft 15, of course, so that themultiple headblocks move conjointly to ensure a straight, even cut.

The travel distance of the racks 18 is governed by the amount ofrotation of the pinion gears 19, which is determined by the amount ofrotation of the set gear 27. As hereinabove described, the degree ofrotation of the latter is controlled by the actuation of the hydraulicpiston 40. Said set gear 27 will continue its turning movement until thehydraulic piston 40 either reaches the end of its stroke, or its strokeis in some manner restricted. One of the principal features of thepresent invention is the novel adjustable means provided for restrictingthe stroke of said piston, as will now be described.

As best appears in FIG. 2, slidably carried between upper and lowerchannel-shaped tracks 48, 49 is a plate 41 having a plurality of cutoutsor steps 4347 formed in its forward edge, said plate being connected bya fitting 53 to a piston 52 and hydraulic cylinder 51. Said steps 43-47extend diagonally from the approximate middle of the plate lower edge tothe upper corner thereof, each step being spaced the same distance abovethe preceding step. A tapped, upwardlydirected bore is drilled in eachof said steps to adjustably receive 21 depending bolt such as the bolt43' shown in FIG. 2. While only one of said bolts is illustrated in thedrawing for the sake of simplicity and clarity, it is to be understoodthat each of the steps 43-47 is designed to accommodate a similardepending bolt. said bolts 43are of a suitable size to sustain the forceexerted by the hydraulic piston 40 without damage or wear when engagedby the stop abutment bar 32 as hereinafter described.

The extension of the reciprocable piston 52, hereinafter referred to asthe stop cylinder piston, is controlled by the operator through asuitable metering valve, with the location of the laterally movableplate 41 associated therewith always indicated to the operator by meansof a suitable linear gauge. The operator is thus-able to shift the plate41 laterally to a position wherein the stop bar 32, which is revolublewith the sleeve 26, will abut the end of the bolt 43' depending from theparticular selected stepped portion 43-47 of said plate, therebypreventing further extension of the piston 40 to halt the forwardmovement of the log-supporting headblocks l7. Said bolts areindividually adjustable to permit the operator to control the thicknessof the stock removed from the log with great precision. After each cutthe hydraulic piston 40 is returned to its retracted position.

As the double-acting piston 40 returns to its retracted position itcauses a corresponding downward movement of the connected "Bendix"bracket arm 31, which is permitted because the small gear 33 thereon isrotatable in a clockwise direction around the periphery of the set gear27, as described. Pivotally mounted on a stationary bracket 35 (FIG. 3)therebelow is a lower Bendix assembly 37 including a small gear 36 whichis normally spring-retained in meshing engagement with said set gear 27.Like the upper Bendix assembly hereinabove described, said lower Bendixassembly is rotatable in only one direction, thus eliminating thepossibility of inadvertent reverse rotation of the set shaft when thepiston 40 is being retracted. As the bracket arm 31 proceeds in adownward direction it engages a lever 42 (FIG. 3) attached to said lowerBendix assembly, causing the latter to pivot to a position where thegear 36 thereon is disengaged from the set gear 27 In order to shift theheadblock knees to a rearward position, as when a new log is positionedthereon, it is necessary to rotate the set gear 27 in a reversedirection, of course. To accomplish such reversing action there isprovided a bidirectional hydraulic motor 56 having a drive shaft 56(FIG.2) with a small sprocket 55 thereon, there being a chain trained aboutsaid motor sprocket and about the aforementioned enlarged sprocket 28carried on the set shaft 15. Said motor 56 can be driven in eitherdirection, thus permitting the headblocks to be rapidly moved eitherforwardly or rearwardly. In the case of forward rotation there is noproblem, as the lower Bendix assembly 37 is disengaged when the setcylinder piston 40 is retracted, as hereinabove described, while theupper Bendix" assembly 34 allows forward rotation of said set gear, asdescribed. To permit reverse motion, however, the restriction of theupper Bendix" assembly, which permits only one-directional rotation,must be temporarily suspended.

To accomplish the latter function there is provided a singleactingBendix release cylinder 57 which is spring-loaded to be self-returning.Said cylinder 57 is connected by means of a hydraulic fluid line to oneof the ports in the bidirectional hydraulic motor 56 in a manner wherebywhen hydraulic fluid is directed therethrough said motor is caused torotate in a reverse direction, thereby actuating the chain and sprocket28 to cause reverse rotation of the main set shaft 15. Since the upperBendix assembly prevents reverse rotation of the set gear 27, however,there can be no movement, thus causing the pressure upon the motor portconnected to said release cylinder 57 to rise until said cylinderfunctions. Because the size of said release cylinder is relatively smallin comparison with the motor 56, and because the power required to pivotthe upper Bendix assembly 34 is minimal, said release cylinder 57 willfunction to pivot said Bcndix" assembly 34 prior to any rotation of themotor, thereby causing the set shaft 15 to rotate in a reversedirection. The result is that the operator can rapidly shift theheadblocks either forwardly or rearwardly. as desired.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be seen that the presentinvention provides a novel sawmill setworks mechanism that is not onlyentirely hydraulically actuated. but which permits rapid bidirectionalmotim as well as multiple forward movement settings that can be selectedat will by the operator. Moreover, absolutely accurate repeat motions onany given setting can be obtained, thus permitting the production ofboards or planks of uniform thickness.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of theinvention has been illustrated and described herein, numerous variationsor modifications therein will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in theart. What is intended to be covered herein is not only the illustratedform of the invention, but also any and all variations or modificationsthereof as may come within the spirit of said invention, and within thescope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a sawmill carriage assembly having a forwardly and rearwardlymovable headblock knee with a rearwardly extending rack associatedtherewith, and having a rotatable set shaft with means thereon drivablyengaged with said rack, a hydraulically powered drive and controlmechanism, comprising: an operator-controlled hydraulic cylinder andpiston; means operatively connecting said piston with said set shaftwhereby extension of said piston causes rotation of said set shaft todrive said headblock knee in a forward direction; adjustable stop meansincluding a laterally shiftable plate having a plurality of steps formedtherein, including operator-controlled means for shifting andpositioning said plate, a sleeve rotatably surrounding a portion of saidset shaft, and including a stop element carried by and projecting fromsaid rotatable sleeve engageable with a selected step on said stop plateto prevent further extension of said hydraulic piston to stop theforward movement of said headblock knee and hydraulic means for rotatingsaid set shaft in the opposite direction to cause rearward movement ofsaid headblock knee when desired.

2. The mechanism recited in claim 1 and wherein each of the steps insaid stop plate is provided with an upwardly directed tapped bore toindependently-adjustably receive a threaded depending abutment member.

3. The mechanism recited in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating saidset shaft in the opposite direction to cause rearward movement of saidheadblock knee comprises: an enlarged sprocket mounted fast on said setshaft; a hydraulic motor having a drive sprocket; an endless chaintrained about said motor sprocket and about said set shaft sprocket in amanner whereby rotation of said motor in one direction causes reverserotation of said set shaft and rearward movement of the headblock knee;and operator-controlled means for actuating said hydraulic motor.

4. The mechanism recited in claim 3 wherein said hydraulic motor isbidirectional and is adaptable to rapidly drive said headblock knee ineither a rearwardly or forwardly direction.

5. The mechanism recited in claim 1 wherein the means operativelyconnecting said piston with said set shaft comprises: a set gear mountedfast on said set shaft; a sleeve rotatably surrounding a portion of saidset shaft; a bracket arm on and projecting from said sleeve; a smallgear on said bracket arm normally positioned to mesh with said set gearand to partially traverse the periphery thereof, said small gear beingrotatable in one direction only; and means connecting said piston tosaid bracket arm in a manner whereby downward extension of said pistoncauses upward movement of said bracket arm, thus causing said small gearthereon to engage and turn said set gear and shaft.

6. In a sawmill carriage assembly including a forwardly and rearwardlymoveable headblock knee with a rearwardly extending rack, and includinga rotatable main set shaft with a pinion thereon drivably engaged withsaid rack, a hydraulically powered drive and control mechanism,comprising: a set gear mounted fast on said set shaft; an enlargedsprocket mounted fast on said set shaft; a sleeve rotatably surroundinga portion of said set shaft; a bracket arm on and projecting from saidsleeve; a small gear on said bracket arm normally positioned to meshwith said set gear and to partially traverse the periphery thereof, saidgear being rotatable in one direction only; a double-acting hydraulicram connected to said bracket arm whereby downward extension of saidpiston in response to actuation by a remote operator causes upwardswinging movement of said bracket arm to rotate said set gear and mainset shaft, thereby rotating said pinion and causing correspondingforward movement of the rack and headblock knee; a laterally adjustablestop plate having a plurality of steps formed therein; independentlyadjustable stop abutment members depending from each of said platesteps; an operator-controlled hydraulic piston attached to said plateand adapted to shift the same laterally; a stop bar carried by andprojecting from said rotatable sleeve engageable with a selected stopabutment member on said laterally adjustable plate to prevent furtherrotation of said set gear and pinion, thus halting the forward movementof said headblock knee at a desired location to present a log thereonfor a cut of predetermined thickness; means for retracting said piston;a bidirectional hydraulic motor having a drive sprocket; an endlesschain trained about said motor sprocket and about said set shaftsprocket whereby rotation of said motor in one direction causes rapidrotation of the set shaft and forward movement of said headblock; and anoperator-controlled hydraulic release means associated with said bracketgear and adapted to pivot the same out of engagement with said set gearto permit reverse rotation of said set gear and rapid rearward movementof the heatlbiock when said bidirectional motor is driven in theopposite directionv

